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12:12 AM
1 Comments:
I am in a situation now and I am desperately seeking any and all advice from nannies as well as parents. Here's my situation:
I am a nanny in Southern CA. I advertise my services on craigslist, enannysource, sittercity, etc. I used to get many responses when I would post an ad, however for the past six months or so, I have noticed a decrease in responses. I attributed it to the bad economy. Still do. Anyhow, when I advertise for a minimum of $10, I still get very little responses. So I stated in my ad that I would work for $8-10, depending on number/ages of children. Well, when my price was lowered, I got more responses. I accepted a new position about a month ago, I care for a small infant who is 5 months and a 3 1/2 yr old. I asked for $10/hr for both children, but the family told me they could not afford the rate since they are a military family. (Dad is a U.S. Marine and mom works as an occupational therapist). So I felt guilty and agreed to a rate of $8/hr for both children. Fast forward a month. I work 8-9 hr days. The work is too much. The baby needs fed every two hours, I need to prepare bottles, feed him, change him, and he takes light daily naps. The toddler needs to be entertained constantly and is in the process of being potty trained. Needless to say, I didn't realize how draining this would be. I agreed to this rate because I am a single mother of two and need the money to pay my bills. I was and am desparate financially.
Now I feel conflicted. On one hand, I know the economy is tight now and so is money in my house now. To have this job, any job...I should be grateful. But on the other hand, my friends and classmates are telling me to care for two small children, for 9 hrs who seldom take naps for only $8/hr is highway robbery. They think I should just continue my search for a fair wage. They think this family is taking advantage of my vulnerable situation, etc. Even though I agreed to it.
Truthfully, the work is straining me. I also attend college at night plus I am a mother as well, w/no help from the father or my own family. I am feeling stressed out and I feel like I made a bad decision based on my desperation and now I think I agreed to something that just isn't working out.
Please no finger pointing at me...I have done enough of that along w/my friends and I know I should never have agreed to it. I guess I was just tired of not having enough money to cover our groceries and bills and just didn't realize how difficult this job would really be.
What can I do now? What would you guys do? Would you be grateful to have a job at all considering the bad economy and all, and just stick it out? Or would you tell the family what I just wrote, give proper notice and try to find a better paying job despite the odds?
For the record, I have asked the family for even $9/hr on three occasions and they both told me it is out of their price range. However even though they live on a Marine base, the own 4 vehicles (one a Cadillac Escalade), they have nice things in the home (ex: HD T.V., new model appliances, etc.), and they just got back from a 4-day trip to Palm Springs. They are not millionares, but they are not poor. I live in subsidized housing and have no washer/dryer or backyard so to me they are rich. LOL.
Please any advice. This is eating me up and I am dead tired as I write this.
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